States covered in whole by the Voting Rights Act's prior-approval requirement for changes in the way elections are held:

- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia (except a handful of Virginia counties and local governments that have been excluded with court approval).

States in which some counties and local jurisdictions are covered:

- California, Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire (all 10 towns covered are awaiting court approval to exit the program), New York, North Carolina, South Dakota.